Hello StillHere.
Thank you for reaching out to EnableMe.
I am sorry to hear of your recent stroke and the impacts you are experiencing. This must be worrying for you. It is good you have reached out.
Sensation can change throughout the stroke recovery journey. You may have numbness at the start, which can develop into pins and needles or more unpleasant sensations such as pain. This could be related to your brain starting to process sensory information but misinterpreting information.
Is this sensation change constant, or does it come and go? How severe is what you are feeling? Given it sounds as if it is quite new, I would strongly encourage you to speak with your GP. Here on EnableMe, we are not medical professionals and cannot provide medical advice. Without a few more details, it would be difficult to identify exactly what is happening for you. Your GP can:
- Make sure you have a diagnosis.
- Make sure there are no health or medication issues causing the changes.
- Refer you to specialists and allied health therapists such as a neurological physiotherapist or neurological occupational therapist for sensory retraining.
Pain can also be very common following a stroke and it can be difficult to say just how long you may experience it for. Headaches can occur after both haemorrhagic and ischaemic strokes or can also be a side effect of medicines. A dull, generalised headache can sometimes be part of post-stroke fatigue as well. Your GP and treating team can work with you to identify the cause of your pain. Pain can be treated with medication and a range of different treatments. These will be specific to you and your experience.
It is always important to remember that any sudden or severe changes (especially headaches or pain in your head) or severe changes in sensation can be a sign of stroke. If this is what you are experiencing, call triple zero (000) immediately.
If you would like to talk with one of our allied health professionals on StrokeLine, please call StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 or email strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm AEST.
Warm regards,
Siobhan (StrokeLine)
Hello StillHere
I am also having a sim numb sensation at the back of my head. I had a very small stroke 2weeks ago. Mine comes on in the evenings and starts off as a feeling of heaviness at the back of my head and I get numbness that radiates to above my right eye brow. It disappears during the day so I feel mine is stress as my anxiety is greatest at night.